Abdominal exercise device

ABSTRACT

An exercise device is described, illustrated and claimed. The novel abdominal exercise device isolates the abdominal muscles without using the hip flexors and, additionally, properly supports the lower back and spine comfortably and without strain. More specifically, the device comprises a lower back and spine support comprising a lower or base portion and an upper or back engaging support portion. The back engaging support portion is coupled to the base portion and has a height for engaging and supporting a person in a partially backwardly reclining position. The back engaging portion is convexly curved toward the person forming an arch wherein the arch comfortably engages the person&#39;s back and provides support to the lower back and spine.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to exercise devices and, moreparticularly to an exercise device for adding strength and flexibilityto the abdominal muscles while supporting the lower back and spine.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The abdominal area of the human body is comprised of four musclegroups including the rectus abdominis, the external obliques, theinternal obliques and the transverse abdominis.

[0003] The rectus abdominis muscles are a pair of long flat muscleslocated on either side of the navel and run the length of the abdominalarea, from the pubic bone to the chest. The rectus abdominis originatesin the crest of the pubis and inserts at the cartilage of the fifth,sixth, and seventh ribs, and the sternum. They are interconnected by thelinea alba, a band of fibrous connective tissue. The rectus abdominispulls the torso toward the hips and is responsible for tilting thepelvis, which effects the curvature of the lower back.

[0004] The external obliques are broad, thin, flat muscles situated onthe lateral and anterior parts of the abdomen and are attached byfibrous connective tissue to the abdominis rectus. They originate fromthe lower eight ribs and attach with the serratus muscle that covers theribs. The external obliques aid in the twisting of the trunk.Specifically, the left external oblique is used when twisting to theright, and the right external oblique is used when twisting to the left.

[0005] The internal obliques are thin, small muscles which lieunderneath the external obliques and run in a diagonally oppositedirection. They extend from the lateral margins of the lower rib cageand are directed inwardly toward the rim of the pelvic iliac bone. Theinternal obliques are also attached to the abdominis rectus muscles byfibrous connective tissue. The internal oblique muscles aid the trunk intwisting in the same direction as the side they are on. Specifically,the left internal oblique aids the right external oblique to twist thetorso to the left, while the right internal oblique aids the leftexternal oblique to twist the torso to the right.

[0006] The transverse abdominis is a broad, very thin muscle that runshorizontally across the abdominal wall and along the midsectionunderneath the external and internal obliques. The transverse abdominisoriginates from the rim of the crest of the ilium, the lower six ribs,running along the outer part of the inguinal ligament, and connects tothe lumbar muscle. It pulls the abdominal wall inward, forcingexpiration.

[0007] Because these four muscles are located in the center of the body,the process of isolating and developing them has proven to be adifficult and often a rigorous task.

[0008] One popular exercise for the abdominal muscles is known as the“sit-up.” During such an exercise, a person lying in a supine positionwith knees flexed into an upward position and hands behind the neck,slowly curls and uncurls the upper body so as to bring the head towardthe stationary knees. Typically, the purpose of these types of abdominalflexion exercises is to require the upper torso to flex in a curling anduncurling manner so as to bring about a strengthening of the muscles ofthe abdomen, particularly the rectus abdominis.

[0009] Variations of the sit-up exercise include starting from a fullyflexed position and lowering to an intermediate position that is heldbefore returning to the upright position. Another variation, called a“sit-up twist,” entails a twisting motion at the end of the upwardmovement such that one elbow touches the opposite knee. A twistingmotion at the end of the curl, such as in a sit-up twist, serves toexercise the external obliques in addition to the rectus abdominis.

[0010] Another prevalent, but somewhat more strenuous exercise for theabdominal muscles is referred to as the “leg lift.” The most basic typeof leg lift entails a person lying supine to extend and raise both legsupward to approximately 90 degrees and then to lower them to theiroriginal position. Variations on the leg lift include bending at theknees, alternating leg lifts, raising the legs to different heights andin different directions, and simulating a bicycle pedaling motion in theair. Typically, leg lift exercises develop the transverse abdominis andlower rectus abdominis muscles as portions of the lower body are raisedand lowered while the upper body remains stationary.

[0011] In recent years, the growth of the field of sports medicine hasbrought with it much criticism of the sit-up and other conventionalabdominal exercises. The first wave of criticism revolved around thepositioning of the hands and arms while performing the sit-up. Thesecritics claimed that positioning the hands clasped behind the neck putundue stress on the neck and spine when doing a sit-up. Therefore, toavoid injury to the neck and spine, several alternatives wererecommended, including positioning the hands on ears, hands on top ofhead, hands folded across chest, and hands extended forward.Significantly, a consensus evolved that performing a sit-up with thehands and arms extended fully forward is the position of leastresistance and least stress upon the neck.

[0012] The second attack on the sit-up relied on the theory that theflexion of the lumbar and thoracic spine over a significant range ofmotion might cause strain on the lower back. Accordingly, some in themedical field advocated limiting the range of motion of the spine duringabdominal exercises to prevent injury to the lower back and spine. Theresult of their efforts was a widespread adoption and use of a variationon the sit-up referred to as a “crunch.”

[0013] A “crunch” is performed when a person lying on his back withknees bent and hands folded behind his head raises only his shoulderblades off the floor in a forward-curling motion and then lowers hisshoulders to the starting position. During the forward-curling motion,the small of the back remains in contact with the floor resulting in anexercise with a very limited range of motion. This exercise succeeds inisolating and developing the upper rectus abdominis, but leaves theremaining muscles of the abdomen unaffected.

[0014] In response to the criticism against the traditional sit-upexercise, many new machines were developed beginning in the early 1990'stouting less strenuous means of exercising the abdominal muscles. Themost popular of these machines, however, activate only a very smallportion of the four muscle groups of the abdomen; do not isolate theabdominal muscles without using the hip flexors; and do not properlysupport the lower back and spine comfortably or without strain.

[0015] What is needed, therefore, is an abdominal exercise device thatisolates the abdominal muscles without using the hip flexors and,additionally, properly supports the lower back and spine comfortablywithout strain.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0016] In general, the present invention can be described as a novelabdominal exercise device that isolates the abdominal muscles withoutusing the hip flexors and, additionally, properly supports the lowerback and spine comfortably and without strain. More specifically, thedevice comprises a lower back and spine support comprising a lower orbase portion and an upper or back engaging support portion. The backengaging support portion is coupled to the base portion and has a heightfor engaging and supporting a person in a partially backwardly recliningposition. The back engaging portion is convexly curved toward the personforming an arch wherein the arch comfortably engages the person's backand provides support to the lower back and spine.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Other aspects, advantages and novel features of the inventionwill become more apparent from the following detailed description ofexemplary embodiments of the invention when considered in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawings wherein:

[0018]FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of an exercise devicerepresenting an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0019]FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of the exercise device shownin FIG. 1.

[0020]FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of the exercise device shown inFIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] In general, the present invention can be described as a noveldevice for abdominal exercise that isolates the abdominal muscleswithout using the hip flexors and, additionally, supports the lower backand spine. More particularly, the present invention comprises a backengaging surface that is convexly curved toward the person forming anarch wherein the arch comfortably engages the person's back and providessupport to the lower back and spine. The back engaging surface conformsto the lower back and spine wherein the back rollably disengages theengaging surface when performing an abdominal exercise.

[0022] Referring now to the figures, in which like numerals refer tolike elements throughout the several views, exemplary embodiments of thepresent invention are described. Throughout the detailed description,reference will be made to the operation of the present invention inconjunction with

[0023] Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 of the drawings, an exercise device100 that represents an exemplary embodiment of the present invention isshown. The exercise device 100 comprises a back engaging support portion110 and a base portion 150. The base portion 150 is coupled to the backengaging support portion 110.

[0024] In an exemplary embodiment the base portion 150 has a generallyrectangular configuration including a front surface 160, a back surface,opposing side surfaces or edges, a top surface and a bottom surface 165.The bottom surface 165 is generally planar adapted to rest on ahorizontal support surface. The front surface 160 and back surface aregenerally parallel extending upward from the bottom surface 165 to thetop surface. The side surfaces or edges are likewise generally paralleland extend upward from the bottom surface 165 to the top surface or formand edge where the top surface 165 and bottom surface meet. Both thefront surface 160 and the back surface have a height substantially atthe center point between the opposing side surfaces or edges that isgreater than at any other point throughout their surface. Thus, thefront 160 and back surfaces form a convexly curved top surface that isadapted to receive said back engaging support portion 110. In oneembodiment, the convexly curved top surface has a radial arch betweenapproximately ¾ of an inch to a 3 inch radius. Further, the base portion150 has dimensions to accommodate the radial arch of the convexly curvedtop surface and couple appropriately to the back engaging supportportion 110. The radial arch dimensions are only one embodiment and aperson skilled in the art would construe them broadly.

[0025] In an exemplary embodiment, the back engaging support portion 110has a generally rectangular configuration including a front surface 120,a back surface, opposing side surfaces, a top surface 115 and a bottomsurface 125. The bottom surface 125 is generally convexly curved andadapted to affix to the convexly curved top surface of the base portion150. In one embodiment, the top surface 115 is generally parallel to thebottom surface 125, thus forming a convexly curved top surface 115.However, in another embodiment, the top surface 115 can be spaced apartfrom the bottom surface 125 over a portion of the planar faces of therespective surfaces but does not have to be in parallel. For instance,the edges of the top surface 115 and the bottom surface 125 may bejoined at a point while the interior surface of the respective surfacesare separated. In the parallel embodiment, the radial arch of both thebottom surface 125 and top surface 115 of the back engaging supportportion 110 is generally equivalent to the radial arch of the convexlycurved top surface of the base portion 150. The front surface 120 andback surface are generally parallel extending upward from the bottomsurface 125 to the top surface 120. The side surfaces are likewisegenerally parallel and extend upward from the bottom surface 125 to thetop surface 120. It should also be noted that although the presentinvention describes such side surfaces, that curved surfaces, angledsurfaces or other configurations could also be used to achieve the sameresult.

[0026] The top surface 115 of the back engaging support portion 110 hasa surface area of at least the area that would accommodate an adult in apartially backwardly reclining position. In an exemplary embodiment, theback engaging support portion 110 has dimensions of approximately 13 to17 inches in length and approximately 6 to 12 inches in width. Inaddition, the back engaging support portion 110 has dimensions ofapproximately ½ of an inch to 3 inches in height. These dimensions areonly one embodiment and a person skilled in the art would construe thembroadly.

[0027] In an exemplary embodiment, the exercise device 100 isconstructed of a rigid material, such as plastic, having an appropriatefirmness to support a body in a partially reclining position whileperforming abdominal exercises. However, in another exemplaryembodiment, the back engaging support portion 110 and the base portion150 may be constructed of different materials. For example, the backengaging support portion 110 may be constructed of a resilient materialand the base portion 150 of a rigid material. Or, alternatively, backengaging support portion 110 may be constructed of a rigid material andthe base portion 150 of a resilient material. Or, both the back engagingsupport portion 110 and the base portion 150 may be constructed of aresilient material. The term resilient means that a body of materialyields under force or pressure and returns to its original shape whenforce is removed and has an appropriate firmness to support a body in apartially reclining position while performing abdominal exercises. Someexamples of resilient materials include, but are not limited to: foam,rubber, foam rubber, silicon or any other similar material. Someexamples of rigid materials include, but are not limited to: metal,molded plastic, plastic, wood, or any other similar material.

[0028] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the application ofthe present invention can take many forms and function and the examplesprovided herein are only used to illustrate a few of thesepossibilities. The scope of the present invention is not limited bythese examples.

[0029] Although this disclosure describes our invention in terms ofexemplary embodiments, the invention is not limited to thoseembodiments. Rather, a person skilled in the art will construe theappended claims broadly, to include other variants and embodiments ofthe invention, which those skilled in the art may make or use withoutdeparting from the scope and range of equivalents of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. An abdominal exercise device for adding strengthand flexibility to the abdominal muscles while supporting the lower backand spine, the abdominal exercise device comprising: a back supportcomprising a base portion and a back engaging support portion; said baseportion comprising a generally planar bottom surface adapted to rest ona horizontal support surface, opposing side surfaces, opposing front andback surfaces and a convexly curved top surface adapted to receive saidback engaging support portion; and said back engaging support portioncomprising a bottom surface, a top surface, opposing side surfaces andopposing end surfaces, wherein said bottom surface is attached to saidconvexly curved top surface of said base surface and said top surfaceforms a convexly curved surface wherein the surface can be used tosupport a person's back.
 2. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein saidconvexly curved top surface is comprised of a radial arch with a radiusapproximately between ¾ of an inch to 3 inches.
 3. The exercise deviceof claim 1, wherein said opposing side surfaces of said base surfacehave a height of less than 2 inches.
 4. The exercise device of claim 3,wherein said height is less than {fraction (1/4)} inch.
 5. The exercisedevice of claim 1, wherein said base portion is constructed of a rigidmaterial.
 6. The exercise device of claim 5, wherein said rigid materialis plastic.
 7. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein said backengaging support portion is constructed of a resilient material.
 8. Theexercise device of claim 7, wherein said resilient material is foamrubber.
 9. An abdominal exercise device for adding strength andflexibility to the abdominal muscles while supporting the lower back andspine, the abdominal exercise device comprising: a back supportcomprising a base portion and a back engaging support portion; said baseportion comprising: a generally planar bottom surface adapted to rest ona horizontal support surface, opposing side surfaces, opposing front andback surfaces and a convexly curved top surface adapted to receive saidback engaging support portion; and said opposing side surfaces having aheight of less than 2 inches; and said back support is constructed arigid material; and said convexly curved top surface is comprised of aradial arch with a radius approximately between ¾ of an inch to 3inches; and said back engaging support surface comprising a bottomsurface, a top surface, opposing side surfaces and opposing endsurfaces, wherein said bottom surface is attached to said convexlycurved top surface of said base surface and said top surface forms aconvexly curved surface wherein the surface can be used to support aperson's back.
 10. The exercise device of claim 9, wherein said heightis less than {fraction (1/4)} inch.
 11. The exercise device of claim 9,wherein said rigid material is molded plastic.
 12. An abdominal exercisedevice for adding strength and flexibility to the abdominal muscleswhile supporting the lower back and spine, the abdominal exercise devicecomprising: a back support comprising a base surface and a back engagingsupport surface; said base surface comprising: a generally planar bottomsurface adapted to rest on a horizontal support surface, opposing sidesurfaces, opposing front and back surfaces and a convexly curved topsurface adapted to receive said back engaging support surface; and saidopposing side surfaces having a height of less than {fraction (1/4)}inch; and said back support is constructed of molded plastic; and saidconvexly curved top surface is comprised of a radial arch with a radiusapproximately between ¾ of an inch to 3 inches; and said back engagingsupport surface comprising a bottom surface, a top surface, opposingside surfaces and opposing end surfaces, wherein said bottom surface isattached to said convexly curved top surface of said base surface andsaid top surface forms a convexly curved surface wherein the surface canbe used to support a person's back.